Abstract

Background:
The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris) conservation meets the major constraint due to animal-human conflict and the presence of infectious diseases in West Sumatera. Ticks are important ectoparasites and vectors of numerous pathogens affecting wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Tick infestation and infection has been neglected diseases in the Sumatran tigers until now. However, studies on tick infestation in Sumatran tigers are limited.

Aim:
This study aimed to characterize the ultrastructural morphology of ticks collected from conflict-associated Sumatran tigers using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Methods:
Ticks were collected from conflict-associated Sumatran tigers. Morphological identification was conducted using stereomicroscopy and taxonomic keys. Selected specimens were prepared for SEM through fixation, dehydration, sputter-coating, and observation under a scanning electron microscope.

Results:
SEM examination revealed detailed ultrastructural characteristics of the capitulum, basis capituli, hypostome, palpi, scutum, spiracular plate, festoons, coxae, and Haller’s organ. Distinct morphological features supported species identification and provided additional taxonomic characters not observable using conventional microscopy. Morphological identification revealed the following tick species on the Sumatran tiger, i.e., Amblyomma javanense, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Haemaphysalis wellingtoni, Amblyomma americanum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris.

Conclusion:
SEM is a valuable tool for detailed characterization of tick morphology and contributes to understanding host–parasite interactions involving endangered wildlife species. The findings provide baseline information for future taxonomic, ecological, and epidemiological studies of tiger-associated ticks in Indonesia. There were six ticks species in Sumatran tigers from Matur, Agam Regency, West Java, Indonesia. Further investigation into their role as the vector for infectious and zoonotic diseases to humans in the same area is needed.

Key words: Sumatran tiger; Ticks; Vector–borne disease; Wildlife parasitology.